CDS Exam Application Form – Dates, Eligibility, Form Filling, Fee

Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) will release the application form of Combined Defence Services Examination (CDSE) II on August 5, 2020 through online mode. All the eligible candidates can visit the official website i.e. upsc.gov.in to fill the CDS exam application form 2020. The CDS exam application form submission process will close on August 25, 2020. Before going ahead with the application form submission, candidates must get acquainted with the eligibility criteria laid down by the UPSC.  

The CDS exam application form can be filled in two parts – Part I (Registration) and Part II (fee payment, centre selection and uploading of images). Go through this article to get detailed information about the CDS exam application form 2020. 

CDS Exam Application Form – Important Dates 

Interested candidates can go through the table below to know the application and other exam-related dates of Combined Defence Services (CDS) II. 

CDS 2020 Exam Application Form Schedule

Particulars	Important dates
Commencement of CDS II registration	August 5, 2020
Last date to fill CDS II application form	August 25, 2020
Last date of CDS II application fee payment	August 25, 2020
Availability of withdrawal of the application facility	To be notified
CDS II exam	November 8, 2020

Who is eligible to fill the CDS Exam Application Form 2020?

Candidates must check the minimum eligibility criteria before filling the application form of UPSC CDS II in order to avoid rejection. Check out the age and educational qualification required to apply for the CDS entrance exam:For Indian Military Academy (IMA) and Indian Naval Academy (INA)

1. Candidates who are between 19 to 24 years of age are eligible to fill the CDS exam application form 2020.
2. Also, they must have a graduation degree in any discipline for IMA. On the other hand, those applying for INA must have a degree in Engineering from a recognized University/Institution. 
3. Only unmarried candidates can fill up the CDS 2020 application form for IMA and INA. 

For Air Force Academy (AFA)

1. Candidates with age between 20 to 24 years will be eligible to apply for AFA through CDS.
2. They must have a degree from a recognized University (with Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level) or Bachelor of Engineering in order to fill the CDS online application for AFA. 
3. Also, only unmarried candidates can apply. 

For Officers’ Training Academy (OTA – Men and Women) 

1. Candidates who are between 19 to 24 years of age will be eligible to fill the CDS exam application form for OTA.
2. Also, they must have a graduation degree in any discipline from a recognized University/Institution. 
3. Both unmarried and married candidates can apply for OTA. 

CDS Exam Application Form – Prerequisites 

Before candidates start filling up the CDS exam application form 2020, they must keep the following information and documents ready with them: 

1. Personal mobile number and email ID
2. Scanned photograph, signature (as per the size prescribed by UPSC)
3. Photo identity proof
4. Marksheets of class 10th, 12th and Graduation
5. Debit Card/Credit Card/Net Banking details for online payment

How to fill the CDS Exam Application Form 2020?

To fill the Combined Defence Services Examination (CDSE) II form, follow the steps given below:

1. Part I (Registration)
2. Part II (Fee payment, centre selection, uploading of images and final submission) 

CDS Exam Application Form – Procedure to Fill Online Form

Part I – Registration

In order to complete the CDS registration, candidates need to visit upsc.gov.in and enter the following details: 

• Personal Details – Name, gender, date of birth, father’s name, mother’s name, nationality, marital status, community, etc.
• Educational Details and Address –  Candidates will have to enter their qualification and address including district, pin code, state, phone number/mobile number, email address, etc. 

CDS Part I registration window for educational details and address will look like the image below:

After completing the form, candidates must cross-check all the details they have entered. After finally submitting the CDS Part I online form, candidates will receive their registration ID on their registered email ID and mobile number. Also, the same will be displayed on the screen.  Save all the information and proceed to part II of the CDS exam application form 2020.  

In order to proceed to Part II of the CDS exam application form 2020, candidates are required to login with their registration ID and date of birth. 

The login window will look like the image below:

Part II – Fee Payment 

After logging in, candidates have to pay the requisite application fees of the entrance test, as prescribed by the UPSC. The application fee payment of CDS can be made online by using Debit/Credit Card and Net Banking or by depositing the money in any branch of SBI by cash. 

CDS II Application Fees 

Category	Application Fees
General/OBC candidates	Rs. 200
SC/ST and Female candidates	Exempted

Part II – Centre Selection 

After payment of application fees, candidates will have to lock their CDS examination centre preferences. Since exam centre allotment is done on a first-come-first-serve basis, they will be allotted other cities nearby if their choice of centres is fully occupied.

Part II – Uploading of scanned images 

After selecting the centre, candidates have to upload their scanned photograph, signature and photo identity card by clicking on the upload button. The scanned documents must adhere to the required specifications as prescribed by the exam conducting authority. Check the table below to know the specifications to follow for image, photo ID and signature uploading in CDS exam application form 2020. 

Image Specifications for CDS Exam Application Form :

Image	Size	Format
Photograph	20 to 300 kb	JPG
Signature	20 to 300 kb	JPG
Photo identity card	20 to 300 kb	PDF

Part II – Declaration and final submission of CDS exam application form 

Before the final submission of the CDS application form 2020, candidates can click on the ‘print preview’ option to check their details in the form. If all the filled-in details are correct, they must click on ‘I have read Declaration and Agree’ for final submission. To edit the details, they will have to click on ‘I Do Not Agree’. 

After final submission, candidates must download and take a printout of the application form for future reference. 

CDS Exam Application Form – Facility of Correction 

Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) may or may not provide the facility to correct any mistakes in the  CDS exam application form 2020. Therefore, the candidates are advised to fill the form carefully and avoid any mistakes. 

CDS Exam Application Form – Withdrawal Facility 

The Commission will provide a withdrawal facility for those candidates who do not wish to appear for the entrance examination. In order to withdraw CDS application form 2020, candidates will have to:

1. Provide registration ID within the prescribed time period to withdraw the form.
2. After submitting the request to withdraw the CDS exam application form, an OTP will be sent to the registered mobile number and email ID. 
3. After validating the OTP, the candidate’s application form will be considered for withdrawal.

Please note that the CDS application fee will NOT be refunded in case of withdrawal. 

What after CDS Exam Application Form 2020 Submission?    

After the successful submission of the application form, candidates will be issued the admit card of CDS three weeks prior to the examination. Only those candidates who have paid the fees and uploaded the images as per specifications will be eligible to download the CDS admit card 2020. 

CDS Exam Application Form – Important Guidelines 

1. Check the eligibility criteria before filling up the online CDS exam application form in order to avoid rejection at any later stage.
2. Don’t send the application form of CDS via post to the exam conducting body. 
3. Ensure that your photograph and signature (to be uploaded) are as per the prescribed specifications given in the notification.  
4. Take a printout of the filled-in application form for future references. 

CDS Exam Application Form – FAQs 

✔️ Who can fill the CDS exam application form 2020?

Candidates who meet the eligibility criteria of UPSC CDS (provided above), as prescribed by the UPSC can fill up the CDS II application form 2020.

✔️ How can I apply for CDS exam 2020?

To apply for the CDS exam, you will have to fill in the CDS application form, which shall be made available on the official website of UPSC. You may go through this article to know the detailed procedure to fill up the CDS exam application form.

✔️ Do I need to send the application form of CDS to the exam conducting body?

No. You are not required to send the online form to the authorities but you should keep a printout of the same for future references. UPSC doesn’t consider the CDS application forms received by post.

✔️ How can I pay the application fees of the CDS exam?

The application fee can be paid by using credit/debit card, net banking or by depositing the money in any SBI branch by cash. CDS II application fee is Rs 200. SC/ST and female candidates are exempted from paying the application fee of CDS.

✔️ When can I fill the CDS II application form 2020?

You can fill the application form of CDS II 2020 from August 5, in online mode. The deadline to submit the CDS exam application form is August 25.

Keep visiting Buddy4Study to gain knowledge about CDS Exam 2020 and other competitive exams.